Author Archives: Joel D. Hirst

About Joel D. Hirst

Joel D. Hirst is a novelist and a playwright. His most recently released work is "Dreams of the Defeated: A Play in Two Acts" about a political prisoner in a dystopian regime. His novels include "I, Charles, From the Camps" about the life of a young man in the African camps and "Lords of Misrule" about the making and unmaking of a jihadist in the Sahara. "The Lieutenant of San Porfirio" and its sequel "The Burning of San Porfirio" are about the rise and fall of socialist Venezuela (with magic).

“The Golden Fleece” – Stories from the Caucuses

Posted on September 5, 2019

It is in the dark forests of our world where often the stories are born. It was in the great wooded areas of Bavaria where the brothers Grimm discovered and catalogued the ancient tales for their eponymous “fairy tales”. So … Continue reading →

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Cakes and Ale

Posted on September 3, 2019

For those who don’t understand #BREXIT, a simple solution would be to immerse themselves in W. Somerset Maugham. In his flowing prose rests the fine nostalgia of an England of yesteryear, an England as things were – for years and … Continue reading →

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Different Idealisms and Many Types of Lords

Posted on September 3, 2019

“Joel D. Hirst’s masterpiece is a worthy best-selling novel brimming with poignant lessons about idealism, culture, and religion. It begs us to examine the current state of the world today, a world so divided by different idealisms and misruled by … Continue reading →

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In Places Like Grenoble

Posted on September 3, 2019

Grenoble is quiet.  It reverberates with the muted echoes of a past of great significance; a famous novelist on tiptoes. An ancient soldier whose lance is set aside in a place of honor leaning against the wall in a darkened … Continue reading →

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My Author Interview for NF Reads

Posted on August 28, 2019

I recently took part in an interview for an author/reader site. I thought perhaps you might be interested – I have placed a link to the entire piece here. What are the real-life stories behind your books? The struggle of … Continue reading →

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On Hong Kong

Posted on August 25, 2019

The third-most read post on my blog is a simple book review of “In Order To Live”, the auto-biography of Yeonmi Park. More interestingly, most of the hits come from Hong Kong. I didn’t notice this at first; the visits … Continue reading →

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Powerlessness in a Sea of Prosperity

Posted on August 25, 2019

The dust has settled upon the latest mass-shootings in America. Those seeking political gain from the tragedy of others have wandered off to find another target for their rage, their powerlessness. Powerless to maneuver the course of a country in … Continue reading →

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